Child Care

The Small Business Administration estimates that the industry generated $46.8 billion in 2012. The economic slowdown of the preceding years hampered the industry somewhat, as widespread unemployment meant that more parents were able to care for their children at home. Industry revenues are estimated to have grown by an annual average of 2.3 percent from 2007–2012 but to have sped up to 3.1 percent in the last year of that period. Labor Department figures show the workforce in the industry increasing at a similar rate during that period.